Comparison

StayFree vs SmartScroll

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

StayFree

This app helps you understand your screen time and digital habits to improve productivity and self-control. It allows you to block distracting apps and websites, set usage limits, and schedule phone-free periods.

Highlights
  • Block apps and websites
  • Set usage limits
  • Schedule phone-free time
  • Track usage history
  • Multi-platform support
  • Focus mode
Features
Read full description

StayFree - Block Apps & Sites is THE companion on your journey towards productivity and self control. Whether you are a light phone user just looking for some interesting stats or a heavy phone user that is looking to break phone addiction, EVERYONE can benefit from understanding their screen time and digital wellbeing. StayFree, by Sensor Tower, can help you block apps and set thoughtful limits on your usage; schedule time away from your phone throughout the day; view simple breakdowns of your usage history to get a base understanding of how you use your phone; and explore detailed usage patterns to dive deep and unlock your full productivity potential. What makes StayFree special? * We are now multi-platform! StayFree is available across all of your devices * Extremely fast and user-friendly interface * Most accurate usage statistics * Quick customer support * Cross-platform usage statistics and analysis StayFree - Screen Time Tracker helps you: * overcome phone addiction * stay focused * self-control * reduce screen time * reduce distraction * boost productivity * unplug more often * increase your digital wellbeing * understand your screen time * spend quality time with family or yourself * reduce wasted time with digital detox Extension's Features: * Usage history: statistics of your daily app & website usage history. * Over-use reminder: notify you when you are spending too much time and start your digital detox. * Block mode: temporarily block any website or application that you are over-using. * Cross-platform: StayFree is now multi-platform! Save time on all your devices by linking the iOS app to our Chrome and Firefox extensions. * Focus mode: Create schedules for distracting apps to stay focused YOU ARE IMPORTANT We'd really appreciate if you could rate us 5 stars here on the App Store. Rating is very important to us in establishing trust with our user base. If you have suggestions or want to see something improved, don't hesitate to reach out! CONTACT US We love hearing from our users and getting their feedback! If you run into any issues with the app or have suggestions on what we can do to improve it, please send us an email: support@stayfreeapps.com

About

SmartScroll

Transform mindless scrolling into a learning experience with curated content. Break free from doomscrolling, strengthen attention, and discover fascinating facts daily. Designed for curious minds seeking better screen time habits.

Highlights
  • Break doomscrolling cycle
  • Strengthen attention span
  • Discover daily facts
  • Curated enriching content
  • Distraction-free interface
  • Customizable themes
  • Share discoveries
Features
Read full description

Stop doomscrolling before another hour disappears. Most blockers just lock you out and get bypassed in seconds. SmartScroll is different: when your limit is reached on Tiktok, Reels, Shorts, or any endless feed, it interrupts the loop and replaces it with quick knowledge cards. Something better to do, right at the moment your brain wants "one more video." Why people use SmartScroll: - Interrupt doomscrolling before it spirals - Block TikTok, Instagram, YouTube Shorts, X, and more after daily limits are reached - Replace mindless scrolling with bite-sized knowledge you’ll actually remember - Add friction when automatic scrolling takes over - Visualize wasted screen time with Life Grid - Build healthier phone habits without deleting social media Core features: - Automatic app blocking after your limits are reached - Smart interruption flow that breaks scrolling momentum - Bite-sized knowledge cards for quick, useful learning - Custom app limits and schedules - Life Grid to visualize time lost and time reclaimed SmartScroll is for people who: - Open social media without thinking - Lose an hour checking “one thing” - Feel mentally drained after short-form videos - Have tried timers, willpower, or basic blockers without success • Want healthier phone habits without quitting social media Your apps are not the problem. The automatic scrolling loop is. SmartScroll helps you break it. Download SmartScroll for free. Premium features require an in-app purchase. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

StayFree4 screens
SmartScroll4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: SmartScroll at 4.8 against StayFree's 2.4. SmartScroll also leads on review sentiment (33% vs 20%). StayFree's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 9) and ratings volume (111 vs 6). On price, update cadence, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. SmartScroll sells 9 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per 7 days. StayFree asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

SmartScroll holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 2.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: StayFree has 111 ratings behind it against 6, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 20% of StayFree's written reviews are positive against 33% of SmartScroll's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

StayFree ships an update monthly, SmartScroll every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 11, 2026 and September 15, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
StayFree versus SmartScroll: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterStayFreeSmartScroll
PriceFreeFree
Rating2.4 (111 ratings)4.8 (6 ratings) — better
Positive reviews20.2% of reviews33.3% of reviews — better
Number of ratings111 — better6
Update frequencyMonthlyEvery 2 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFreemium
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS16.0 — better17.6
Further details — not scored
Size83 MB32 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSensor Tower, Inc.Alperen Cerkez

Customer experience

StayFree

All ratings111 ratings
Positive26.1%
Neutral14.4%
Negative59.5%
Written reviews89 reviews
Positive20.2%
Neutral19.1%
Negative60.7%

SmartScroll

All ratings6 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews3 reviews
Positive33.3%
Neutral0.0%
Negative66.7%

Bugs and requests

StayFree

Reported bugs

14 issues
  • App selection screen closes without saving when 'Done' is pressed
  • Cannot add apps to usage limits or focus modes
  • Usage limits not persisting after creation
  • App crashes when attempting to add new restrictions
  • Focus mode not activating properly
Show 9 more
  • Time range restrictions not working (e.g., 11pm-7am)
  • App crashes during app search functionality
  • Safari enablement prompt repeats despite confirmation
  • Blocks not resetting daily, requiring manual recreation
  • Usage data not displaying on other devices
  • Website blocking not consistently enforcing limits
  • Black screen on Apps tab
  • App closing unexpectedly during limit setup
  • Glitches after recent updates affecting previously working features

Requested features

14 requests
  • In-app blocking for iOS (block reels, shorts, comments separately)
  • PIN code protection to prevent cheating
  • Ability to edit usage limits after creation
  • Easier temporary override mechanism for limits
  • iPad horizontal/landscape mode support
Show 9 more
  • Cross-device usage data visibility with app-level details
  • Date range usage statistics view
  • Limits on the go feature for iOS
  • Stronger obstacles to prevent limit deletion
  • Alternative app redirect when limit reached
  • Breathing exercise or wellness feature integration
  • Dark mode option
  • Multiple restriction zones support
  • Correct device identification for iPad

SmartScroll

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

StayFree

No in-app purchases

9 purchases

SmartScroll

Subscriptions9
  • SmartScroll Premium | Weekly$1.997 Days
  • SmartScroll Premium | Monthly$4.991 Month
  • SmartScroll Weekly Premium3 Days trial$6.997 Days
Show 6 more
  • Weekly Premium$9.997 Days
  • Yearly Premium$24.991 Year
  • SmartScroll Yearly Premium$24.991 Year
  • SmartScroll Premium | Yearly$29.991 Year
  • Yearly Premium7 Days trial$39.991 Year
  • Yearly Premium7 Days trial$49.991 Year

Questions

Is StayFree free?
StayFree is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is SmartScroll free?
SmartScroll is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, StayFree or SmartScroll?
SmartScroll is rated higher. StayFree averages 2.4 out of 5 from 111 ratings, while SmartScroll averages 4.8 from 6 ratings.
Do StayFree or SmartScroll have ads?
Neither StayFree nor SmartScroll shows ads.
Which is updated more often, StayFree or SmartScroll?
StayFree ships an update monthly, and SmartScroll every 2 weeks. Most recently, StayFree was updated on September 11, 2026 and SmartScroll on September 15, 2026.

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